It's Movie Time

New Flicks Are In No Short Supply For The Holidays

December 22, 2000|By Sara Sheckler, Sentinel Correspondent

John and Sean Mandrake were zipping from store to store in the Lake Square Mall, picking up a few last-minute Christmas gifts.

But the 12-year-old identical twins from Arizona, who are visiting relatives in Eustis for the holidays, said they were really just biding their time until they could go to Cast Away, the new Tom Hanks movie.

The boys won't have to wait any longer. The movie opens today at the AMC Lake Square 12 Theatres in the mall.

"It will be so cool. Tom Hanks is stranded on an island," said Sean.

John agreed: "We might see Miss Congeniality. Sandra Bullock is a babe."

The boys also hope to catch a few more flicks during their weeklong visit to Lake County.

Cast Away, Miss Congeniality and Family Man also open today at the Rialto Theater at the Villages in Lady Lake, said Skip Young, one of the theater's managers. He thinks the Hanks film might fare the best.

"None of his movies has failed yet," Young said. "Family Man and Miss Congeniality should do well, too."

Young said viewers cram the eight theaters at the Rialto during the Christmas season, the busiest time of the year.

His explanation: "Kids are on Christmas break."

Mark Switzer, manager of the Tropic Theater in downtown Leesburg, said Christmas Day is one of the theater's best days of the year.

"A lot of people just want to get out of the house," Switzer said. "They've opened the gifts and eaten dinner and now want something to do."

Pauline Abel of Leesburg said going to a movie on Christmas is "a tradition" at her home.

"We have two children, six and eight years old, so we look for a kids' movie," she said.

The fare at the Tropic might suit her family -- it's The Emperor's New Groove, which opened Dec. 15 and plays three times a day.

Switzer said that when the theater shows a Disney movie, customers are sparse until school lets out for break.

"Then business just explodes," he said.

On Dec. 29, the theater will add Two Family House to the bill.

Christmas Day at the AMC Lake Square 12 Theatres will bring All The Pretty Horses to the screen. Matt Damon stars in the drama set in the West.

Miller said films that have brought in big crowds in the past few weeks have included The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and 102 Dalmatians.

"Grinch is selling really well here. It's our busiest theater. It's grossed more than $200 million across the nation," Miller said.

The Emperor's New Groove opened Dec. 15. at the AMC Lake Square 12 Theatres.